How To Clean Dog A Leash (5 Ways)

If you are a dog owner, you might be startled to learn that your dog’s leash can get dirty surprisingly fast.

With all the moving around your furry friend does, it won’t take long for the leash to get soiled and filthy.

I, personally, have to wash and sanitize my dog’s leash a couple of times a month.

In this tutorial, I will take you through how to wash your dog’s leash.

Ways to Clean a Dog Leash

There are four effective methods for cleaning a dog leash.

The first two methods are the most common, and they are hand washing or machine washing.

The last two methods include using a damp cloth or using baking soda.

It’s best to read the instructions first, so you choose the method that doesn’t affect the integrity of the leash.

Some dog leads require you to wash with your hands, while others are machine washable.

Step By Step Guide to Washing Dog Leash with a Washing Machine

A washing machine is a good option if the dog lead has nylon material.

Leather dog leashes are not suitable for washing machines.

Always check if the leash is machine washable before you use the washing machine.

Here is a step by step guide to washing the dog lead with a machine.

Step 1: Place the dog leash in a pillow, garment bag or lingerie bag.

Placing it into a bag will help prevent metal parts from

making too much noise when moving around the washing machine.

Step 2: Place the bag into the washing machine.

Step 3: Wash the dog lead with cold water and in a gentle cycle.

Step 4: Lay the leash to air dry for an hour or two.

You can dry the dog leash in direct sunlight, though try not to leave it in the sun for long.

The sun might damage the material of the leash.

Step by Step Guide to Washing a Dog Leash with Your Hands

Washing the dog leash with your hands will only take you 30 minutes or less.

Handwashing is not ideal for nylon dog leashes.

The scrubbing might damage the nylon material.

Here is a stepwise guide to washing a dog leash with your hands.

Step 1: Fill your sink or basin with warm water.

Step 2: Add some dog shampoo into the water.

Dog shampoo is better than soap because it will help prevent irritation on your furry friend’s skin.

Step 3: Place the dog leash into the soapy water and let it soak for ten to fifteen minutes.

Step 4: Scrub the leash with a soft brush or rub it with gentle hand movements to remove dirt and other stains.

Step 5: Transfer the dog lead to clean water and rinse it once or twice

Step 6: Squeeze out the rinse water and leave the leash out to air dry.

If you want to speed up the drying process, you can pat the dog leash with a dry towel then allow it to dry.

Guide to Cleaning a Dog Leash with Baking Soda

Step 1: Mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with warm water.

Step 2: Place the dog lead into the water once the baking soda dissolves.

Step 3: Allow the leash to soak for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Scrub the leash with a soft brush or use your hands to remove stains.

Step 5: Rinse the leash under running water and allow it to dry.

Guide to Cleaning a Dog Leash Using a Damp Cloth

Cleaning with a damp cloth works best for leather dog leads.

Here is a guide on how to do it.

Step 1: Mix some soap or dog shampoo into a small bowl of water.

Step 2: Dip a cloth into the water and use it to wipe the leash.

Step 3: Wipe until you remove all the stains while occasionally dipping into the water.

Step 4: Rinse and allow the leash to dry for some minutes.

How To Wash A Dog Leash

Washing a dog leash shouldn’t take you more than an hour.

Try washing the leash with any of these four methods to ensure it looks fresh and clean again.

Just a quick tip, always ensure the leash is dry before using.
Another good tip would be to keep a spare leash for the days when the weather doesn’t favour washing.